KRCC LISTENERS ARE CONCERNED THAT CPR MAY CANCEL MUSIC PROGRAMS • WCAI IS THE TOP NEWS SOURCE ON CAPE COD

Now that the dust is beginning to settle following the announcement that Colorado College and Colorado Public Radio (CPR) have agreed to a partnership, some people are wondering if KRCC music shows will cancelled. 

To them, the new partnership is a mixed bag for local listeners.

On one hand, KRCC will be part of the largest, and many say the best, news organization in the state. On the other hand, CPR in Denver will be determining KRCC’s programming. Some people in the Springs wonder if the upcoming changes are worth the price Colorado College paid.

According to a report by Collin Estes in the Tuesday (1/28/20) edition of the Colorado Springs Independent [link], members of the staff of KRCC staff expressed shock when they heard the announcement. For most of the staff, the news was a complete surprise.

Kyle Cunningham

KRCC General Manager Kyle Cunningham told the Independent:

“Myself and the senior staff knew that this agreement was a possibility since about the summer of 2019. But it was not a done deal; it was [only] being considered.”

“I found out a couple weeks before the actual announcement that the target date was Friday the 17^th. But for many of our staff, [the announcement on the 17^th] was the first they had heard about it.”

Now some KRCC fans in the community and KRCC staff members are concerned about what will happen when CPR makes future changes to KRCC’s schedule. 

The fate of music programming is of particular concern.

Cunningham told the Independent that he has had no input in programming negotiations so far. CPR said that has immediate plans to change KRCC’s programming. But CPR has said their goal is bring KRCC’s schedule in alignment with CPR’s schedule.

One of the biggest concerns is KRCC’s music programming.  KRCC currently has several music shows on their schedule [link]. 

Locally originated Adult Alternative music airs weeknights from 8pm to Midnight. Weekly music programs on KRCC include local productions such as The Blue Plate Special, Vintage Voltage and The Reggie Show plus syndicated shows Live From Here and Sound Opinions.

The only music show on the CPR News schedule [link] is Sound Opinions. So, there is likely going be changes when the programming is aligned.

Estes described that the mood of KRCC’s staff following the surprise announcement, as “anxious but optimistic.” However, CPR’s ambiguity about eventual changes in KRCC’s schedule is a point of their concern.

Cunningham told the Independent that the best thing listeners can do is to be active and give feedback about changes:

“Music has been very important on KRCC’s airwaves, and we’re very proud of the product we’ve built at KRCC. As we go through this transition and some possible changes, [we are counting on] our members and listeners to give us feedback.”

NIELSEN AUDIO DIARY MARKET RATINGS: CAPE COD

There is no doubt it, WCAI is essential listening on Cape Cod.

To us, there is one station missing:Adult Alternative WMVY [link]. 

They don’t currently subscribe to the Nielsen ratings. but they are a terrific station with a significant number of listeners.